You will be aware that the landowner of the field adjacent to the Jubilee Stone has removed the gate which provided access to the field. This is to stop people using the path which runs across the field down to Piggy Lane. Whilst this route has been used by walkers for many years it has never actually been a Public Right of Way (PRoW).
Backwell Parish Councillors are aware of the strong feelings in the village about the loss of this much loved path and other paths around the field. We are supporting an application to North Somerset Council (NSC) for the footpaths to be designated as PRoWs, which everyone can use, now and in the future.
To support the application we need witness statements about the use of the paths. Any period of time is relevant, but we would particularly appreciate your statement if you have used the paths for 20 years or more. We have produced an evidence pack with forms provided by NSC, which we would ask you to complete and return to the Parish Council.
Printed copies of the evidence pack are available for collection from the Parish Council office at
43 Rodney Road, Backwell, BS48 3HW Tuesday-Friday, 10:00-14:00 Telephone: 01275 464653
The pack is available to download here
However, please print a copy to fill in, rather than completing online.
Please return completed forms to the office within two weeks of receipt, if possible. However, returns afterwards will still be useful for later in the process.
It would also be very helpful if you have old photographs of you, your family or, indeed, anyone using the paths.
This is the start of a formal process which will go through a number of stages and take some time. We will do our best to keep you updated whenever we have some news. In the meantime, please use the official public footpaths.
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact Cllr Hilary Power, who will be making the application, on 07948 381225, by email hpower@virginmedia.com, or leave a message on 01275 462204 and she will reply as soon as possible.
Thank you very much for helping to try to preserve our precious footpaths.